title: Knowledge brokering between researchers and policymakers in Fiji to develop policies to reduce obesity: a process evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The importance of using research evidence in decisionmaking at the policy level has been increasingly recognized. However, knowledge brokering to engage researchers and policymakers in government and non-government organizations is challenging. This paper describes and evaluates the knowledge exchange processes employed by the Translational Research on Obesity Prevention in Communities (TROPIC) project that was conducted from July 2009 to April 2012 in Fiji. TROPIC aimed to enhance: the evidence-informed decisionmaking skills of policy developers; and awareness and utilization of local and other obesity-related evidence to develop policies that could potentially improve the nation's food and physical activity environments. The specific research question was: Can a knowledge brokering approach advance evidence-informed policy development to improve eating and physical activity environments in Fiji.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention comprised: recruiting organizations and individuals; mapping policy environments; analyzing organizational capacity and support for evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM); developing EIPM skills; and facilitating development of evidence-informed policy briefs. Flexible timetabling of activities was essential to accommodate multiple competing priorities at both individual and organizational levels. Process diaries captured the duration, frequency and type of each interaction and/or activity between the knowledge brokering team and participants or their organizations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Partnerships were formalized with high-level officers in each of the six participating organization. Participants (n = 49) developed EIPM skills (acquire, assess, adapt and apply evidence) through a series of four workshops and applied this knowledge to formulate briefs with ongoing one-to-one support from TROPIC team members. A total of 55% of participants completed the 12 to18 month intervention, and 63% produced one or more briefs (total = 20) that were presented to higher-level officers within their organizations. The knowledge brokering team spent an average of 30 hours per participant during the entire TROPIC process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active engagement of participating organizations from the outset resulted in strong individual and organizational commitment to the project. The TROPIC initiative provided a win-win situation, with participants expanding skills in EIPM and policy development, organizations increasing EIPM capacity, and researchers providing data to inform policy.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases-C-POND, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University, Tamavua Campus, Princes Road Tamavua, Suva, Fiji. gade.waqa@fnu.ac.fj
authors.forename: Gade
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waqa
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mavoa
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Snowdon
authors.forename: Marj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moodie
authors.forename: Jimaima
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: Boyd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Swinburn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011050:Policy Making; D015397:Program Evaluation; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical